Kosovo football players boycott national team over federation leadership

The Kosovo national football team is facing a major crisis as seven key players have refused call-ups from manager Franco Foda. The players are boycotting the national team to protest the leadership of Agim Ademi, the president of the Kosovo Football Federation.

Captain Amir Rrahmani initiated the movement, stating he will not play while Ademi remains in his position. He was followed by several prominent players, including Edon Zhegrova, Vedat Muriqi, Florent Muslija, Arijanet Murić, Milot Rashica, and Valon Berisha. A seventh player's identity has not yet been publicly confirmed.

This mass boycott leaves the squad significantly weakened ahead of upcoming Nations League matches against Austria, Israel, and Ireland. The situation highlights a deep breakdown in trust between the players and the federation's leadership, placing immense pressure on the coaching staff to stabilize the team's atmosphere.